Posts Tagged → brain potential
Air pollution may limit brain potential
The natural world holds tremendous beauty. That is why author and philosopher Ilchi Lee chose to relocate to Sedona, Arizona, where a person can freely move about in nature. However, many people do not have the option to spend much time in a green environment, and new research suggests that this could have a negative impact on their mental health.
Researchers from Ohio State University found that mice that were exposed to high levels of environmental air pollution were significantly more likely to develop memory and learning problems and depression. The findings show that spending too much time in the city may limit an individual's brain potential.
"This could have important and troubling implications for people who live and work in polluted urban areas around the world," said Laura Fronken, who led the study.
She added that the particles in air pollution appear to cause inflammation. This may damage brain tissue, leading to cognitive impairment.
Lee says that for an individual to reach their brain potential they must live a balanced life. This may include periodically getting out of the city and spending more time in natural settings.
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Thoughts influence perception, study finds
It has long been said that a person’s view of the world around them colors their perception, and a new study published in the journal Psychological Science confirms this notion. The findings suggest that a person’s happiness in their life is only limited by their brain potential.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales started by asking participants to visualize a particular image – a colored shape with a pattern on it. The team then showed participants two different images at once, one of which was the image the participants were previously asked to visualize.
The results showed that participants who visualized the initial image with the greatest ease perceived that particular image more dominantly than the other. The researchers said that this shows how strongly a person’s thoughts can influence their perception of the world around them.
"Our ability to consciously experience the world around us has been dubbed one of the most amazing yet enigmatic processes under scientific investigation today,” said Joel Pearson, who led the study. “If we stop for a moment and think about it, our ability to imagine the world around us in the absence of stimulation from that world is perhaps even more amazing."
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Stressed searchers miss many objects
Stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on an individual’s brain potential and change the way they perceive the world. Ilchi Lee says that meditation and other forms of relaxing mental exercise may play an important role in people’s ability to get the most out of their brain power.
These types of techniques are even more important in light of a new set of findings from Duke University researchers. The team discovered that when a person is feeling anxious or stressed while they are looking for something, they are much more likely to miss the object they were searching for.
The researchers said that their findings have important implications for the way people are trained, particularly in important instances such as search and rescue of missing persons. Channeling and reducing stress in these situations may lead to better outcomes.
The results of the study confirm what Ilchi Lee says about the negative effects of stress and anxiety on the brain. He has long recommended meditation as a way to curb these unhealthy feelings and push brain potential to its fullest.
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A good night’s sleep is key to unlocking brain’s potential
Ilchi Lee says that brain potential is nearly limitless. However, this does not necessarily mean that everyone’s mind is automatically engaged to its fullest. There are certain things that a person must do to get the most out of their brain.
For example, a recent study from the University of Washington in St. Louis found that students perform better on tests after they have had a full night’s sleep.
For the study, researchers had a group of students take an exam after they were kept awake for the preceding 12 hours or were allowed to sleep. The results showed that those who were well rested before taking the test performed significantly better.
The study could have important implications for students at all levels of schooling, but particularly those in college, where the pressure to perform is often greater. The findings suggest that simply getting a good night’s sleep may be all that is required to perform to the best of one’s potential.
The findings support much of what Ilchi Lee says about the mind’s potential.
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More individuals seeking brain potential with new hybrid degree
Many people want to increase their brain potential by enrolling in a higher degree program. Not only will this boost their chances of finding a job, but they will also learn new thinking skills that are sure to help them throughout life. As a result of this popularity, more schools are offering options to meet a variety of students' needs.
Western Michigan University is seeing a lot of interest in its new hybrid online master's degree program in adapted physical education. Part of the reason for the high amount of interest is the free tuition thanks to a $1.18 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Schools officials say that this kind of degree is important in order to create quality physical education staff members in the American school system.
"It helps children grow," said Jiabei Zhang, who directs the program. "Children are undergoing a rapid rate of development and they need multiple ways to facilitate that development. Physical activity is one of the major tools to help them to grow. It not only helps them improve their physical fitness and motor skills, it helps improve their cognitive function and facilitates the development of their emotions."
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New nursing program could help students boost their brain potential
People who enroll into college may want to practice Ilchi Lee's brain education, as they will need a sense of self-disciple to succeed in their studies. This is especially true for students who are pursuing a rigorous course such as nursing.
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing announced that it has initially approved Loyola University New Orleans' new doctorate of nursing program (DNP). As a result of the acceptance, the school will be working on preparing for early enrollment in the coming months.
The goal behind this program is to create education opportunities for people who have already at least a bachelor's degree in nursing.
"Nurse practitioner education is evolving and offering this new course of training is the next step in that process," said assistant professor of nursing Gwen George. "Nurses who already have their bachelor’s degree and want to become a family nurse practitioner can receive their DNP by completing this three-year program and then be eligible for certification."
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St. Vincent and the Grenadines may be the most relaxing locale in the world
Ilchi Lee has said that brain wave vibration can help individuals access deeper levels of relaxation in themselves. In order to practice this technique, however, one needs to be in the right state of mind and the right surroundings. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a small island in the Caribbean, may be a great place to practice brain wave vibration because it is one of the most relaxing places on the planet.
This island is located in the Caribbean Sea near Barbados and St. Lucia. As such, it has almost perfect weather, pristine beaches and crystal clear ocean water. Visitors to this tropical paradise may find that brain wave vibration is easily practiced on the soft white sand one finds on the coast or in the shade of a palm tree further inland.
Practicing brain wave vibration is one way that individuals can become relaxed and at peace. Another way is meditation, which visitors to St. Vincent and the Grenadines may find is easy to practice there as well.